We don’t get out of bed until after ten and then only because Gordon is coming over at eleven. I would rather have stayed in Davis’s bed for the entire day and had sex five more times, but after the first round, he refused to entertain the idea of taking me again so soon, saying that my body needs a chance to recover.
I’m pleasantly surprised when Davis provides me with a new pair of jeans, a lace bra, and a fitted white T-shirt to wear while Gordon is at the house.
I’m barefoot and relaxed, curled up on the couch, my stomach filled with bagels and cream cheese, when Gordon arrives.
Davis greets him at the door and they join me in the living room. Davis sits next to me and sets a possessive hand on my thigh.
Gordon smiles at me as he sits in one of the leather armchairs. “Good to see you, Britney.”
I smile back. “Thanks for working so hard to make sure I wasn’t kidnapped.”
“My pleasure.”
“You were undercover all that time? You’ve been at the Lounge longer than I worked there.”
He nods. “Yes. Some undercover jobs take a long time to solve. I started working for the Sky Lounge right after the last woman was sold. You started a week after me.”
Davis gives my leg a squeeze. “Were you able to figure out who Lazinski was working for?”
Gordon sighs. “Unfortunately, no. I doubt Lazinski knows. He probably never met the muscle behind the operation, but my people will be flipping his entire house and office upside down to see if they can find anything useful. He took his cut each year, shared some of it with Mila, and turned the rest over to the actual seller.”
I cringe. “I still can’t believe Mila was in on it. She was so nice to me.” I fold my arms and hug myself, shivering at the thought that the only person I could have come close to calling a friend was actually the enemy.
“I didn’t see that one coming either, and it was my job.” Gordon winces.
“That reminds me,” Davis says as he stands and leaves the room. He returns moments later and hands Gordon a wad of money. “You’ll need this for evidence.”
Gordon nods. “I assume this is what Lazinski paid you up front to find Britney?”
“Yep.”
I stare at the folded pile of money, unable to breathe for a moment as I realize how much I was worth to Lazinski. If Davis hadn’t been the one he paid to find me… I shake the thought away. It’s over now.
Gordon draws in a deep breath “Anyway, I really came by to make sure you were okay and say goodbye. You won’t see me again after today. I don’t even exist as Gordon Shepherd.”
I bite my lip and nod. That makes me sad for some reason, but I’m not surprised.
“Have you already been assigned to another job?” Davis asks.
“No. I’ll be in the office for a while wrapping this up and then I’ll be back to hunting down whoever Lazinski was working for. That’s the big fish I want to catch. Luckily, my cover wasn’t blown in this operation. I’ll assume a new name and get back out there. Eventually, I’ll nail someone’s ass. Lazinski wasn’t the only man arranging for the sale of women. Whoever he was working for has a giant trafficking ring that extends all over the Northwest. Unfortunately, catching Lazinski didn’t put a dent in the business.”
Davis nods. “You have my information. If you ever need me or the help of Black Blade Protection, you know who to call.”
Gordon taps his temple. “Memorized, man, and I appreciate it.” He stands.
Davis and I stand also and follow him to the door.
“Thanks again,” I tell him.
“Anytime.” He winks at me and shakes Davis’s hand. “Good luck. You two make a cute couple.” He glances at me. “If I ever get out of undercover work, I hope I’m lucky enough to find an amazing woman like you to fill the rest of my days.”
I lean into Davis’s side, hugging his arm. I feel sad for this man whose real name I don’t know. A man who has his entire life on hold while he fights crime. I’m choked up and unable to say another word.
“She’s out there. You’ll stumble upon her when you least expect it,” Davis says.
Gordon gives us one more smile and jogs down the front step toward his car.